Clove (लौंग) is offered to Hanuman during puja for desire fulfillment. It is also offered for early cure of serious diseases. Eleven numbers of clove is offered to Hanuman by those have trouble in having a good night sleep. For wealth and money related problems – light lamp before Hanuman using mustard oil. Put two cloves in the oil. For serious ailments, devotees should meditate on Hanuman in the early morning by looking at the rising sun. After meditation, offer some cloves. Take some clove and offer it to Hanuman before leaving home for any important work. Why is Clove Used in Hanuman Puja? Each spice is associated with a particular deity in Hinduism. Clove is associated with Shiva. Hanuman is the Rudra Avatar of Shiva. Clove is also offered in havan puja in Hinduism.

Kamsa had deputed several demons to find the baby Krishna and kill him. Demons appeared in numerous forms in Gokul to kill baby Krishna. Demon Vyoma in the guise of boy was one among them. One day Balarama and Krishna went to the forest to play with their friends. Krishna acted as a king, Balarama was his minister, Daman was appointed as the commander-in-chief. The rest of the boys divided themselves into thieves and soldiers. Some boys came forward bringing a few with them and said these are thieves. Bind their hands. Slash off their legs. Pummel them,c off their heads. The soldiers shouted and the subjects shouted. The accused boys said: ‘We were hungry so we stole a goat. We will give you a portion. Here, take it.’ As they ran the others pursued them laughing. The game continued with the so called thieves assuring the king of not stealing and that they would give one hundred sheep as fine for the mistake they commited. Taking advantage of the happy confusio...

Deepalakshmi is today famous as a sculpture with a woman holding a lamp or plate. Goddess Deepalakshmi is associated with knowledge wealth – the lamp which removes darkness and ushers in knowledge. The image of deepalakshmi is not simply a depiction of a woman holding a lamp, but the symbolic representation of a lamp as an auspicious woman. In Hinduism Goddess Deepalakshmi represents the lighting of Sandhya Deepam (evening lamp) and is of great importance in millions of home daily. Goddess Deepalakshmi Prayer Deepajyotihi parabrahma deepa sarvatamopaha | Deepena saadhyate sarvam sandhyaadeepa namosthuthe Oh Goddess Deepalakshmi! I do my humble pranams! You are the Parabrahma. You are the destroyer of all Sins. You are the remover of darkness united with Agnana and provide Gnana(Knowledge). Because of you only all Lokas are shining.

Kavach in Hinduism is a protective shield created through the mantra dedicated to a particular deity in the Hindu pantheon. It is of great importance to many Hindu devotees. A Kavacham is created when a deity is invoked to protect every part of the body of person. Wearing Kavach overcomes evil influences on the perosn through prayers. The Kavach is more akin to a mantra than to a stotra, prayer, for protection of the limbs is an essential part of the Kavacham. The mantras and prayers invoked in a Kavach are found in Puranas and Tantra texts. For example Narayana Kavacham is from Srimad Bhagavata Purana (6.70). Recitation of the kavach itself is the spell of protection. A Kavacham generally mentions every limb of the body specifically and requests the specific deity to protect that particular limb. In addition to that, negative forces are also mentioned and the deity is solicited to ward off these. Reciting the Kavacha Mantra, touching the respective limbs of the...

Whole lemon is offered to Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu in some regions in India. Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Vishnu. Special puja and worship is offered to this incarnation on Phalgun Shukla Paksha Dwadashi (12 th day during the waxing phase of phalgun month (February – March) and on Narasimha Jayanti (also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi in Vaishakh month). Lemon is offered to Narasimha by those people who have fear of accidents. It is also a good offering for people whose work involves high risk. Eight lemons are offered to Narasimha after smearing it with sindhoor to avoid accidents in life. Lemon and leaf garland is offered for early cure of diseases. Eleven lemons are offered for victory over enemies.

Kauthumasakha is a branch of Sama Veda. Although tradition attributes one thousand Shakhas (branches) for Sama Veda, only three branches – Kauthumas, Ranayaniyas, and Jaiminiyas or Talavakaras – have come down to us. Ranayaniya is really a sub-school of Kauthumas. As per information available, Kauthuma Shakha is the main school of Sama Veda. The Kauthuma tradition is still in existence in the neighborhood of Vadodara in Gujarat, and in Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Chidambaram and Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. The Ranayaniya tradition is available in South, especially in Andhra Pradesh. The Jaiminiya tradition is available among the Nambudiri Brahmins of Malabar (Kerala). The manner of chanting by the Kauthumas and the Jaiminiyas differs considerably. Kauthuma Samhita is divided into Purvarcika and Uttararcika; arcika are further divided into prapathakas, ardha (prapathakas) and dasatis on the one hand, and into adhyayas and khandas on the other. Kauthumas have Panchvimsa ...

Worshipping Goddess Bahuchara Mata is a revered practice in Hinduism, particularly for those who seek blessings for courage, fertility, protection, and gender identity issues. This guide provides a step-by-step method of worship using eco-friendly materials, covering everything from preparations to concluding the puja. 1. Who is Goddess Bahuchara Mata? Goddess Bahuchara Mata is a powerful deity worshiped primarily in Gujarat and Rajasthan. She is considered the protector of the transgender community, as well as a divine symbol of empowerment, courage, and inner transformation. Devotees believe that she blesses her followers with strength, fertility, and fulfillment. 2. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Bahuchara Mata Blessings of Courage and Strength : She instills courage in devotees to face challenges. Protection from Evil : Believed to offer protection from negativity and obstacles. Resolution of Gender Identity Issues : Bahuchara Mata is an iconic figure for the transgender community...

Goddess Sharika is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess or Goddess Shakti. Hindu Goddess Sharika is worshipped mainly in Jammu and Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits. She is also known as Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati, Mahatripurasundari, Rajarajeshwari and also as Haer. The Goddess is represented in the form of a Swayambhu Sri Chakra – a Sri Chakra that appeared on its own. The popular belief is that Goddess Sharika appeared on the ninth day during the Shukla Paksha of Ashada month. Her abode is the Hari Parvat on the outskirts of Srinagar . The belief is that this place is the source of Sri Chakra – the secret knowledge of Sri Yantra. Legend has it that Goddess Sharika took the form of a bird (Haer in local language) and took a huge pebble from Hari Parvat and annihilated a demon that was causing havoc in the valley. Thus she is also known Haer. There are numerous miracles associated with Goddess Sharika and some of them are part of folklore. In human for...

Wheat Flour Totke to solve business problems is widely used by certain Hindu communities in North India. Such totke are not part of Hinduism but such small rituals are followed by people from time immemorial. There must be some success with the process for people to follow it for such long period of time. The process is done by people who are facing constant failure in business. The process should be done only during the waxing phase of moon (Shukla Paksha) - the 15 days starting from Amavasya. Take some wheat flour and place it on the outside and inside of window of your shop or factory. Make sure that nobody notices you while doing this. Wear green color dress performing this totke. If possible, feed a cow on the day with roti, banana and jaggery.

Naga Pratishta at Rameswaram is performed to get relief from all kinds of Naga Dosham. There is a firm belief that performing Naga Pratishta in Rameswaram Temple will help in alleviating troubles associated with Naga doshas including Kaal Sarpa Dosha. Naga Pratishta means installing the murti (idol) of Naga in temple in Rameshwaram. The cost of the puja asked by priests varies from 5000 to 15,000 rupees. You should bargain for nothing more than 7500. If the Naga Pratishta is advised by an astrologer carry any written advice he or she has given or any murti or plate he has given. Naga Pratishta is performed by priests in the Rameshwaram temple vicinity. They are known to charge exorbitant rates for the puja. So one needs to put on the bargaining hat and bargain really hard. The puja procedure starts in the evening and is completed in the next day morning. The main ritual in Naga Pratishta is the installation of a murti of Naga (idol of snake god). The murti after t...

Krishna Karnamrita is a popular devotional poem dedicated to Sri Krishna. Also known as Krishna Karnamrutham is the work of Leelasuka, who is also known as Krishna Lilasuka and Bilvamangala or Vilvamangala. He belongs to the period before 1300 AD. You can also download the Krishna Karnamrita text in book format in pdf. Each of the 330 verses in the three cantos of Krishna Karnamrita stands by itself. The poem as a whole gains unity by its devotional fervor, verbal melody, and sensuous pictorial effect. The dance of the gopis around Sri Krishna (the Raas Leela) is described with lyrical beauty and ecstatic emotion. A major example of the poetry of the Bhakti movement, the work advocates the path of devotion (bhakti marga) as the best means of reaching the divine. It asks readers who are tired of traveling incessantly in the forest of Vedanta to search for the meaning of Upanishads in the houses of the gopis and find it personified in Krishna tied to the mortar. A ma...

Manglik Dosha, or Chowa Dosham, is based on horoscope and astrological calculations and is followed by those Hindus that believe in astrology. Such Doshas are considered while checking kundali or horoscope compatibility of before marriage. There will be delay in marriage of girls and boys with Manglik Dosha or Chowa Dosham in their horoscope. As they have to get a similar horoscope that matches with theirs. It is believed by some Hindu communities that chanting of Ashwarooda Mantra will help in early marriage. The mantra is to be chanted while performing daily prayers. You can Aswarooda Mantra as many numbers of times you want. Ashwarooda Mantra is – Om Aaim Hreem Krim Ayeyahi Parameshwari Swaha. 

Teachings on Sarcasm - Desires - True Identity by Swami Visharadananda Sarcasm is another very serious form of verbal violence that needs to be checked. To speak sarcastically means to have a hidden idea to hurt the other person through one’s seemingly simple words. To ridicule others or laugh at them when they are in trouble is also a verbal violence. Says one Sanskrit proverb: If out of carelessness, someone slips on the way, evil-minded people laugh at him. The noble minded, however, try to console and help him out. What is there to laugh about a person who slips and falls? He is already hurt, and instead of giving him a helping hand, if one laughs at him, one does violence to him. Laughing in itself is a good thing, but when one laughs at others’ misfortune it is indeed cruel. The entire Mahabharata war took place because Draupadi laughed at Duryodhana at the wrong time and that pierced his heart like a spear. Then he said, ‘I will take revenge forit.’ What all...

Kumbhipakam Narak is a hell that is mentioned in Hindu Tradition. Details about hells in Hindu tradition are found in the Garuda Purana. This punishment is given to people who harm innocent living beings on earth. As part of the punishment, the person who has committed the sin is put in a huge vessel of boiling oil and is stirred continuously. People who harm a living being for fun or with selfish motive get this punishment. The sinner is stirred constantly in boiling oil. It is said that person is stirred for number of years equal to the number of hair on the living being the person harmed. This concept of heaven and hell in Hindu tradition is based on Puranas. Such stories and incidents in Puranas are meant to keep human beings disciplined on earth. Vedas states that hell and heaven are on earth and lucky are those who realize the true self and attain bliss here. 

Khas Khas is dried root of grass and is native India in particular grows in south India. Here is a look at the various benefits of Vetti Veru or Ramacham plant. As it grow abundantly near water banks it is referred as Jalavasa, as it is fully fragrant it is referred Gandhdya, as its roots suppressant of heat it is referred as Seethamulaka, as it is differently fragrant it is referred as Sungandhamula, as it reduced body heat and irritation in stomach it is referred Dahaharana. Khas Khas grass is known as Madivalada gida or beru,   Lavancha, mudi hullu in Kannada Khas Khas Bena in Hindi; Useera in Sanskrit Vetti Veru, Metti-vellu, Vatti Veru in Telugu Vetiver, Virkel, Viyal in Tamil; Ramacham in Malayalam Scientific name of this is Chrysopogon zizanioidesis and it belongs to perennial bunchgrass of the Poaceae family of plants. Different Usage Of Khas Khas Grass In Daily Life Baskets are made with the roots Mats, curtains and hand fans are widely made Th...

There is a story in the Mahabharata which informs us about Duryodhana being captured by a Gandharva named Chitrasena. Pandavas who were in their exile period rescued Duryodhana. The story is found in the Ghosha Yatra Parva in Aranyaka Kanda of the Mahabharata. The story extols that one who protects dharma will be protected by dharma. Once Duryodhana made a trip in the name of Ghosha Yatra to Dwaitavana (where pandavas were residing during vanavasa (exile period)) with his family and friends along with is army. Duryodana, Karna, Dushasan and Shakuni wanted to humiliate the pandavas by showing their power and status. They spent there with a lot of amusement – making lot of noises. Near Dwaitavana there was a lake of freshwater. Duryodhana wanted to take bath in that lake with his wife. But before the arrival of Duryodhana and his wife, a Gandharva king by name Chitrasena had occupied that lake. Seeing the lake occupied by others, the soldiers of Duryodhana asked them ...

Hanuman is one of the most powerful gods in Kali Yuga (the present era). He is still living on earth and it is believed that he comes disguised to help his devotees. Here is an Hanuman mantra for success in education. Hanuman Mantra – Success In Education Budhiheen Tanu Jan Ke Sumiro Pavan Kumar Bal Budhi Vidya Dehu Mohi Harhu Kalesh Vikar बुद्धिहीन तनु जान के , सुमिरो पवन कुमार बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहि , हरहु कलेश विकार। This mantra is a doha in Sunderkand. There are many dohas in Sunderkand that help in attaining human desires. Certain lines in Sunderkand can be used like a mantra. How To Chant The Mantra? Wake up early in the morning before sunrise. Take bath. Sit facing east and chant the mantra 21 times. Start studying immediately after chanting the mantra. Plant a tree on the first day of mantra chanting and take care of it.

Swami Sivananda (September 8, 1887 – July 4, 1963),  founder of the Divine Life Society,  was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta.  Swami Sivananda teachings are mainly from the numerous books authored by the Swami. The thoughts have also been taken from the monthly magazines published by  Divine Life Society.  Illness begins with "I", Wellness begins with "we". Do one thing at a time, and while doing it put your whole soul into it to the exclusion of all else. Every step you take, through every act you do you must move towards Freedom, towards Truth, towards Light. The powers of the mind are like the rays of the sun when they are concentrated they illumine. Let the mind be cheerful but calm. Never let it run into excesses, because every excess will be followed by a reaction. There is no paper on which to write the Nature of Truth. There is no pen which can dare write It. There is no person living who can express I...

As per Hindu Puranas, Bhuloka or earth divided into sapta dwipa or seven continents and the gap between these seven continents was filled by the Sapta Sagara or Seven seas. The details regarding the Sapta Sagara are found in the Skanda Purana and Bhagavad Purana. The liquid content of the seven seas are different. The seven seas are made of saline water, milk, wine, curd, ghee, sugarcane and sweet water. The first island Jambudvipa is surrounded by saline water. The second island is the Saka Dwipa and is surrounded by Kshirasagara, the sea of milk. The third island is the Pushkara Dwipa and is surrounded by Surasagara, the sea of wine. The fourth island is Kusha Dwipa surrounded by Dahi Sagara, sea of curd The fifth island is Kraunchadwipa surrounded by Ghrtasagara, sea of ghee The sixth island is Salma Dwipa surrounded by Ikshurasagara, sea of sugarcane juice. The seventh island is Gomeda Dwipa and is surrounded by sweetwater. In Hindu cosmology, the eart...

Sudarshana Chakra is a powerful weapon used by Bhagvan Vishnu to annihilate all that practice Adharma. The ninth canto of Srimad Bhagavad Purana contains the story of King Ambarisha – Durvasa and Sudarshana Chakra. King Ambarish was an ardent devotee of Bhagvan Vishnu. Pleased with the devotion of the king, Vishnu gave him the power to control the Sudarshana Chakra. King Ambarish continued his worship of Vishnu and started observing the Ekadasi Vrat. Indra, the king of Devas, was threatened by the devotion of the king. He feared he will be soon replaced by Ambarisha. To break the Ekadasi fasting of the king, Indra took the help of Durvasa. Durvasa reached the palace of the king on an Ekadasi fasting day and he was received in full honor. Durvasa then proceeded for this morning bath and other rituals. But deliberately delayed his return to hamper the Ekadasi fasting of the king. The king proceeded with his Ekadasi fasting ritual and when Ekadasi tithi was ove...